Sometimes it pays to get extended warranties. My 1.5 year old work computer would not boot up one fine day. These are/were the problems:
Bad hard drive...got replaced
Bad memory stick...one of two
Bad DVD player...wouldn't open without magic treatment
Bad sound something....no sound

Don't you love problems around tax time?

It looks like a good time to get a quad core. How much do they impact energy bill with 20 hours/week usage?

_________________"If the people allow private banks to control their currency the banks and corporations will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." - Thomas Jefferson